Windows 7: Start Menu button not working

Hi, I am a student helping out our reasource lad director with fixing our schools laptops and we came across a problem with the start menu icon not working. I have tried and set the menu properties back to the default settings and it still doesnt work. I've looked up if there could be another problem and found out it may be a problem with the registry, however i can't get into the start menu and run the elevated command prompt so i can check it and make sure... can someone please help me fix this issue?

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

You should be able to launch the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.

The Windows key is the one between the Ctrl key and the Alt key.

If it does, open an elevated command prompt and run sfc /scannow

Boot into Safe Mode with Networking to run a full Malwarebytes scan.

Next run SFC -SCANNOW Command if necessary from the the System Recovery Options Command Line: SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot

We also tried the windows key and that didnt bring the start menu up... its like it doesnt even exist on the computer.

Have you tried gregrocker's suggestions?

You mention laptops. Do you get the same problem on all your school laptops or just the one?

If it is the latter you could try a repair install: Repair Install

right now the only problem is with the one laptop and as for trying gregrocker's idea i personally havent tried it but i believe our director did.

What were the results of the Malwarebytes scan? If you can't get into Safe Mode, download, burn to CD or write to flash stick, boot to run Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.

Once cleared of infection, boot into System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair repeatedly. It should automate System Restore and System File checker, but if not run them from the tools list, using Command Line to run SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot.

I see I'm repeating myself so let's have some feedback on the steps already given if you want any further help. This would cost you hundreds of dollars in a shop so the least you can do is reply with results, or further questions to get the steps done. There are more based on what you report.